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Synthesis of phospholipids and membranes in prebiotic conditions

Abstract

IT is generally agreed that stable membranes were prerequisite to the assembly of the earliest self-replicating systems1–4. Phospholipids, which are ubiquitous in biological membranes and which self-assemble in aqueous environments into stable lipid bilayers and vesicles4, are obvious candidates for prebiotic membrane components. We report here the abiotic synthesis of various lipids, including membranogenic phospholipids.

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HARGREAVES, W., MULVIHILL, S. & DEAMER, D. Synthesis of phospholipids and membranes in prebiotic conditions. Nature 266, 78–80 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1038/266078a0

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